Page 44 of Pomegranate Seeds

“Many people don’t like Bianca,” Valerio pushed. Was that a test to see if I was fit to join their family?

If it was really a test to see if I was close-headed or homophobic, there was no need to worry. So, I answered easily, “Many people don’t like me.”

Valerio looked at me for a few seconds before understanding dawned on his eyes. “Good because I am very protective about my family.”

I suppressed a smile at his threatening tone. I knew he was capable of more deadly things than most adults, but I also grew up in the mob. Still, it was cute of him to be protective of his family. I again looked at Verona, who now was dancing with the other girl-Bianca. “She is your twin, right?” I looked at Valerio, who looked much older. “You are quite large, but she still looks like a kid.”

Valerio nodded, but still, there was something stern in his eyes. “She deserves to have her child spirit. I hope she will never lose it.”

“You deserve it too.”

To that, he gave me a crooked smile. I saw him smile a lot before, but right now, even his smile was ugly. He was not ready to accept me.

I was an outsider.

I decided to talk about his sister. It was the same as thrusting a baby into my brother and Roberto’s arms. I thought it might calm him. “What is it like to have a twin? I have always wondered.”

“It is like feeling both pain and joy double. It is like having someone so easy to die for.”

A sad smile appeared on my face. “That is just the definition of family.” Not the ones who carry the same blood as yours but the ones you truly felt close to.

Valerio didn’t seem like he agreed, though. “Not for everybody. Having a twin is intense. I want to be like Antonio, but I never can. I can never shut out my emotions for Verona.”

I wanted to tell him it was not good. I wanted to tell him Antonio was going to get his emotions back, but he just needed time. However, I didn’t feel like he was going to appreciate it. “I think you are not right. Antonio values family over all else. He would do anything for Mia just like you would do it for Verona.”

“It is not the same.” He shook his head. “He would die for Mia if needed, and I would do the same for Verona, but there is a difference. I cannot live in a world where Verona doesn’t exist. Antonio is not like that. He doesn’t need anyone other than himself. His brain is not blurred by emotions.”

I couldn’t help it. “Maybe you are wrong about him. Maybe even he is wrong about himself. Maybe I’ll be the one to get to him.”

He gave me a twisted smile, but it was warmer than before. “I’d like to see you try.”

I couldn’t help but smile. I knew I was going to get to him. I didn’t need their approval or their belief.

I only needed Antonio’s love.

Chapter 14

Antonio

After everything, I finally managed to take Priscilla to our hotel room. She said she wanted to have our first night at the suite instead of back home because she was still living with her family. I knew their house was big enough that we would have our privacy, but I was pleased with her choice. Having a good suite was always more comfortable for me.

At first, I tried to leave the choice to her. I waited for her to ask me since I didn’t want to pressure her. We didn’t have a talk, but even if she was not a virgin, I knew she was not very experienced. Bending according to her will was the best choice.

She made me wait too long, though. She was consumed by the guests, so I had to ask her if she had enough fun. She told me she was down for a different kind of fun.

Priscilla Falzone was a big tease, and Priscilla Mazzoni was no different.

It was enough for me to take her hand and announce to everyone we were retiring to our room. We left the wedding with applauses, but there was no one shouting “Bed her” or any ugly suggestions. New York still had some more traditionalist families, but Gabriele Falzone was a more modern Capo, so the wedding was not filled with disgusting traditions. Only the ones that were fun and harmless.

When the elevator doors closed behind us, Priscilla looked up at me with her huge green eyes. “Gabriele threatened to shoot anyone shouting ‘Bed her,’” she explained.

“Good tactic,” I answered and gave her a playful smirk. She didn’t look like she enjoyed it whenever I did that, though. I didn’t know if it was because she didn’t like my smile, or she knew that it was not real. Real smiles were very rare with me.

We reached the top floor pretty quickly, and as soon as we stepped into the room, Priscilla let go of my hand. She excitedly jumped up and down. “God, this looks really pretty.” She went to look out to the skyline and then to the small tray of fruit which I asked for.

I slowly took off my jacket as Priscilla started babbling about food and tasting it. She was always so expressive, but it felt kind of different now. I wanted to make sure she was not tense just because we came up to the room.

“Can you believe they even have pomegranates? I love pomegranates.” She went on and put a few seeds to her mouth. “Oh, they are juicy,” she said and attempted to lick down the juice from her fingers.

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